General Chemistry, Sections 1 and 2

Syllabus for the fall 1999 semester

Background exam will be given the second hour of the class.  In my experience the foremost problem in the course is ability to handle comfortably arithmetic, algebra and word problems. Those who have difficulties passing the background test are very likely to struggle for the rest of the course, ostensibly failing chemistry but in reality falling behind because of not understanding the tools of math and logic. My advice is to drop CHEM 210 right away (the drop date is Friday of the first week of classes) and take mathematics instead. Taking CHEM 110, in general, will not remedy this problem.
The test will be graded, but not used for the course grade. Notice that I will be very reticent to spend office time on math problems with anyone scoring ten or fewer points on the background test.

Sample of an old background test.

SYLLABUS

CHEMISTRY 210 Section 1 and 2 Fall 1999
Faraday 143

08:00-08:50 M, W, F - Section 1
11:00-11:50 M, W, F - Section 2
(The two sections will be essentially identical. However, students must attend the section for which they registered.)

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Petr Vanýsek; Office, Faraday West 418

OFFICE HOURS: 15:00-16:00 Monday, 15:00-16:00 Wednesday. Other times by appointment. I will help you with your problems but come to see me with questions and problems already at least partially prepared. Do not expect me to give you your own make-up class. Be prepared to share the office or the time with other students.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABORATORIES: Dr. D. Ballantine, Jr., Faraday West 424.

DATE CHAPTER/TOPIC

__________

TEXTS: J. McMurry and R. C. Fay, "Chemistry", 2nd edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, 1998. (For the lecture. The same text, starting with   chapter 10 will be used the following semester in CHEM 211)

H. A. Neidig, Program editor, "Modular Laboratory in Chemistry", Chemical Education Resources, Palmyra PA 1994. (For the laboratory part)

Recommended materials: A calculator with scientific notation, logarithms, goniometric and statistical functions (You probably have one already. Just check that you know how to use your own calculator. Each has its own idiosyncrasies that you have to master. Do not borrow somebody else's calculator immediately before a test unless you know how to operate it. Needless errors and lot of frustration is created if a calculator "deceives" you.).

Programmable calculators are acceptable during tests as long as they do not contain in any of their storage devices the course material subject to the testing. You cannot share a calculator during a test. Computers (laptops, notebooks, etc.) cannot be used during tests.

Have a calculator and a pad for calculations ready for each class period. The lecture will be always interspersed with your active participation.

For tests and quizzes it is assumed that everybody has a calculator, pencil No. 2 (for computer grading forms, if such are used), a pen (only answers written in permanent ink can be reconsidered if you suspect an error in grading of an essay question or expect reconsideration for partial credit), and substantial knowledge to answer correctly the questions.

Helpful for those insecure in mathematics are the following books: Miller, Lial, Schneider; Fundamentals of college algebra (MATH 110 book); Dorothy M. Goldish: Beginning mathematics for beginning chemistry, 4th Ed., Macmillan, New York, 1990.

SCHEDULE: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, - lecture, Recitations Monday or Wednesday, as shown:

Recitation schedule. All recitations held in Faraday 205

ATTENDANCE: Documented attendance is mandatory for the recitations. Each 3 documented absences will result in the loss of 50 points from the student's score. That corresponds to lowering the class score by one letter grade! The instructor in charge will keep attendance list. Late arrival or early departure is also an absence.
Attendance at the lectures will not be monitored, but the following must be considered: (1) The tests and quizzes are based on the textbook as well as the class material, which may not be in the textbook, (2) Office hour cannot be used to catch up on material missed by a class absence. 
Only the persons enrolled can attend the lecture, the recitation or the laboratory.
LATE ARRIVAL TO CLASS is discouraged. It disrupts the other students and the instructor and may be basis for barring from the class. If you absolutely must arrive late, enter quietly from the back and sit in the back.  

EXAMS AND GRADING:

Hour tests (3) 50% (300 points)
Comprehensive final test 33% (200 points)
Laboratory 17% (100 points)

TOTAL (600 points)

There will be 4 quizzes, and some graded homework at the recitation session. The combined score from the recitation (maximum possible 100)  will substitute for the hour test with the lowest score, if the recitation  score is higher. A minimum grade of 60% in the laboratory is required to pass the course.

Finals:    Section A (8 AM class) - Monday, 6 Dec. 1999 8:00-9:50
                Section B (11 AM class) - Wednesday, 8 Dec. 1999 10:00-11:50

NOTE THAT TAKING THE FINAL TEST IS REQUIRED.

DON'T 

In general, cheating means presenting or using work which was not done entirely by you and, in the case of in-class examination, it includes also presenting or using your work that was written outside the classroom. You may not talk or pass notes to each other on any subject. Having other materials than those allowed for the work with you within reach during test or sharing calculators is cheating as well. Keep what you may need for the test within reach and keep what you should not have with you in your closed packs or better yet, do not bring it in. Remote communication devices should be turned off during lectures as a matter of courtesy to others. However, receiving or transmitting signals during tests is potential gateway for cheating. Anyone apprehended having such a device on this during a test will receive a zero on that test.

Other issues

No smoking in the building, no food or drink in the class.

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP TESTS

Note that the rule of replacing the worst test with the recitation score is your insurance against missing a test. There will be no make-up for a test for any reason. Do not inquire. If you have to miss a quiz for a substantial and veritable reason, ask the TA ahead of time about possible rescheduling. Those who take all the tests and quizzes are not curve busters for those who miss one. All are graded on their own merit. There is not a curve in the class.

Your class percentage will be calculated as the sum of all the points earned, divided by 6. The grades will be as follows:

A Outstanding competence 90% and more
B Above satisfactory competence 80% to 89.99%
C Satisfactory level of competence 70% to 79.99%
D Marginally satisfactory competence 60% to 69.99%
F Unsatisfactory level of competence < 60% (or <60% in lab.)

(revised text 24 August 1999)

A sample of an old background test:

The original text has been written using T³ word processor. Some of the text has been scrambled during the WP/HTML translation.
Background quiz, 13 January 1998
20 questions, 20 points total, 1 point each

Mathematical skills

1. Which of the following gives the answer x = 3?

a) 2x - 7 = x + 6

b) 2.5 x + 3 = 15 - 1.5x

c) 4x + 0.2 = 6.6

d) 5x + 9 = 2x + 30

e) 2.1x +1.3 = 5x - 3

2. Which of the following gives the answer x = 2 - 2y?

a) 3x + y = 27

b) 5x - 2y = 15

c) x + yz = 0.5

d) ax - y = bz

e) 3x + 6y + 4 = 10

3. Which of the following gives the answer y = 1 - 0.5x?

a) 3x + y = 27

b) 5x - 2y = 15

c) x + yz = 0.5

d) 3x + 6y + 4 = 10

e) ax - y = bz

4. Which of the following gives the answer z = !!!!-!?

a) 3x + y - z = 27

b) 5x - 2y = 15 + z

c) 3x + 6y + 4 = 10z

d) x + yz = 0.5

e) ax - y = bz

5. [H⁺][OH^-] = 10^-14; [H⁺] = 10^-13. Solve for [OH^-].

a) 10¹

b) 10^-13

c) 10^-27

d) 10²⁷

e) 10^-1

6. Which of the following yields the answer x = - y ?

a) ! + ! = 15

b) ! + ! = 0

c) ! + 3 = y

d) ! + ! = 1

e) ! + !₇ = !!!!

7. Substitute the values given into the equation and solve for the remaining unknown:

!!! = 2.0; b=3.0, c=15

a) 10/3

b) 3.0

c) 3/10

d) 2.24

e) 25

8. Substitute the values given into the equation and solve for the remaining unknown:

!!! = 2.0; a² = 4, b=3.0.

a) 72

b) 24

c) 18

d) 1

e) 9

9. Write an equation to express the following: In 7 years, Tom will be 1.5 times as old as Ann. T stands for Tom's present age, A for Ann's present age.

a) A + 7 = 1.5(T + 7)

b) A + 7 = 1.5T

c) T + 7 = 1.5(A + 7)

d) A + T = 1.5x7

e) 7 + T = 1.5A

10. A bit of multiple choice logic. Only one answer is correct. Which one is it?

a) e) is correct

b) this one is correct

c) b) is correct

d) c) is not correct

e) None of the above

11. If 20 % of a class averages 80 % on a test, 50 % of the class averages 60 % on the test, and the remainder of the class averages 40 % on the test, what is the overall class average?

a)     64

b) 60

c) 58

d)     56

e)     54

12. A full container holds 5/8 gallon of liquid. If the container is 4/5 full and then 25% of the liquid is lost due to evaporation, how much liquid is left in the container?

a) 1/4 gallon

b) 3/8 gallon

c) 1/2 gallon

d) 5/8 gallon

e) 3/4 gallon

13. In six years, Tony will be twice as old as he was 4 years ago. How old will Tony be in 4 years?

a) 12 years

b) 14 years

c) 16 years

d) 18 years

e) 20 years

14. Julie's collection of 50 coins consists of dimes and quarters totaling $ 7.10. How many more dimes than quarters does Julie have?

a) 14

b) 20

c) 22

d) 26

e) 36

15. I have enough money to buy 45 bricks. If the bricks each cost 10 cents less, I could buy 5 more bricks. How much money do I have to spend on bricks?

a) $ 100

b) $ 50

c) $ 45

d) $ 40

e) $ 35

16. If i = -1 , simplify !-!-! :

a) !-!!!

b) !-!!!

c) !-!-!

d) !-!-!

e) --!!-

17. It costs $ 100 to produce certain amount of fruit. For how much must the fruit be sold, to realize a 20 % profit of the selling price?

a) $ 80

b) $ 120

c) $ 125

d) $ 135

e) $ 180

18. Five oranges cost three dollars. What is the price of seven oranges?

a) $ 2.17

b) $ 7.00

c) $ 4.20

d) $ 5.30

e) $ 1.05

19. How many three-cent stamps are in a dozen?

a) 4

b) 3

c) 12

d) 36

e) 60

20. Simplify 81^3/4 :

a) 60.75

b) 108

c) 27

d) 350.5

e) 132860